A Season of Faith, Hope and Love

Thursday, May 2, 2013

I just cheated on the food plan. Did I have a cookie? Nope. Cupcake? Nope. Angel food cake? Nope. Hamburger? Nope. French fries? Nope. I licked the spoon from the hummus and ate an almond as I packed my food for tomorrow. What does this mean? Phase 2, which will happen every Wednesday and Thursday during this 4 week challenge are HARD. Protein and veggies. I ate amazing meals like turkey bacon wrapped in lettuce, or grilled chicken breast wrapped in lettuce, or hard boiled egg whites (no yolk!) plain with cucumbers. I ate turkey jerky and deli meat with no nitrates. I did it, and I am proud of myself, but I can't WAIT for tomorrow. The next phase is probably going to be my favorite each week. Phase 3 includes FAT. Glorious fat. Which neither Phase 1 or 2 allow. I get to eat things like nuts and hummus and avocados..... mmmmmm.

I can't wait to get up tomorrow and eat. :)

For now, a quick update and bed.

Phase 2, Day 2, Week 1
Food- Awesome, until I broke down and licked the hummus spoon and ate an almond (and seriously, I am trying not to cheat, but if that is my cheat... I think I'm doing okay). I do want to record that in the last two days, I have received two gifts at work- designer mini-cupcakes (you know, the ones that are like $6 for 4 little cupcakes and each one has an inch of frosting?) and a box of cookies from my favorite bakery. I ate NONE, note NONE of these treats. (I did feed them to my kids. I wonder if that's bad? I mean... will I create bad habits in my kids by bringing home all the stuff I can't/ won't eat??) I also didn't participate in the 'birthday lunch' in the office because they were getting Pei Wei and there was nothing that fit within the food plan. (this was really hard, because I am the 'boss' and I know it didn't go over well with a few people.) Were these things hard? Yes, but they make me super proud of myself about sticking with it this week!!
Water- yep, yeah, no.
Exercise- I worked 15 hours today. That's enough.

Weight- total loss is still 2 lbs. Curious to see what the scale says tomorrow.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Wow. Today was a killer day emotionally. And I'm not sure if that was the change in food I'm experiencing, if it really was that BAD of a day, or a combination of both. But, let's just say I cried in front of people today (more than once). Haven't done that in a LONG time....

So, here I sit, about ready for bed. How did I do today?

Phase 2- Day 1
Food- Okay. I missed a snack, which is a big no-no on this diet. But with all the emotions running around, food just didn't sound good.
Water- TOTAL fail. I mean big time. But tomorrow I have plan. It involves lemons and limes (which I am allowed duirng this phase) and LOTS of ice. Cross your fingers for me.
Exercise- Still no. Next week is sounding like a good week to add that challenge.

Happy that Day 3 is over. Not dreading Day 4 quite as much as I dreaded today... now that I have at least one day like this under my belt.

Really looking forward to the foods that I will get to eat on Friday, Saturday and Sunday... hummus, raw nuts, avacado.... mmmmm....

Day 2 went well. Again, the water. I need some tricks because I just struggle getting it in... I have NEVER been a fan of plain water, ever. I have consumed hundreds of thousands of gallons of iced tea and DIET COKE in my lifetime, but water? I only drink it when I have to, or on a really hot summer day with lots and lots of ice. Anyway, I need to find a way to get over this hurdle, because I think my body really needs the water included in this plan (and I'm hoping this is one of the habits that I will walk away from this food plan with...)
Food went well yesterday- and yesterday was one of those days in the past that I would have just thrown up my hands over and said- "I can't be good with food today." I was at work by about 6:30 a.m. It was a FULL day- multiple meetings, upset parents, upset staff members, discipline- you name it, it happened yesterday. Followed by a PTO board election, the first grade musical (those kids were so cute!) and a late night trip to Target for a few odds and ends needed for work. I didn't get home to eat dinner until almost 8:30. However, yesterday, I did it. I spread my food out in 4 hour intervals, I didn't eat anything that wasn't 'on plan', and let me tell you how good that chicken breast and broccoli tasted by the time I actually got to eat it! The Mr. was wonderful, as he cooked dinner last night for the kids, and then made more dinner for me when I finally got home. I think I'll keep him around.

So... just to recap...
Day 2
Food- excellent
Water- yeah, um, really not so good
Exercise- none (does working a 14 hour day count?!?)

Weight loss, as of this morning- 2 pounds

Day 3, here I come. Very nervous about the next two days. High protein (not my fave), low fat, high veggies, and NO carbs. Just gotta power through it. I CAN do this.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Yep, it's been like, well, forever since I've been here, but I've decided that I'd like a little journal of my progress with my current undertaking, and I am just TOO LAZY to create a new blog, so I decided that this here little 'ol blog will serve the purpose for the next 28 days. And.... then... just maybe.... since school will be out... I just might want to find my way back here and start posting again.

I've posted before about my weight loss journey... the ups and the downs. I am definately at a 'down' right now- or would that be an 'up'? I guess it is all in how you look at it....

Anyway, I have been reading a lot about weight loss ('cause that is what you do if you aren't actually doing something, right, you just read about it). I got very interested in the idea that part of my issue has to do with my hormones and my metabolism. I mean, who wouldn't come to the conclusion that metabolism was part of the issue when you live with a man like the Mr. He is just about 6 feet tall and weighs about 140 pounds. And he eats. A LOT. (I am serious, like 4 square meals a day if he hasn't been exercise and more like 5 if he has been really active.) He eats crap. He eats fast food. He eats whatever he wants at restaurants. And still... he's skinny as a rail. So- something MUST be different in his body than mine because all I have to do is look at a french fry and I gain weight (and of course, my children seem to be taking after him, which is awesome for them, but can make this momma a little crazy).

After doing my reading online, I finally broke down and about a book, The Fast Metabolism Diet. I read said book, and thought, and thought, and decided to dive in. Now... note this might not be the best time in the world for me to undertake such a project--- I am an elementary school principal, a mom, and we are entering the last three crazy weeks of school. There will be lots of stress, lots of late nights, and lots to distract me, but I just can't wait anymore. The time has come. I will use this here little blog to keep to keep to update how it is going- because I think if I post it all on Facebook I might just drive everyone crazy.

Day 1- Phase 1- Week 1
Today was okay. I ate the food I was supposed to eat, close to the time that I was supposed to eat it. I didn't drink as much water as I should have, but I drank way more water than I usually do during the day, so I am going to view that as progress. :) I prepped a lot of the food over the weekend, which was good. I am going to have to do that through this entire challenge or there is NO WAY I am going to make it. This food plan is detailed and takes some planning ahead- and I don't think it will be easy to get what I need just anywhere (there is no fast food in this diet for sure... I even think eating in a restaurant will be hard!). I have my food planned for days 1-4. I think I will sit down toomorrow night and plan days 5-7.

Truthfully... the hardest part about today... and I am sure for me the hardest part about every day for awhile will be not just sticking food in my mouth. I cannot tell you how many times I walked by food today, or just thought about having a 'bite' of something. Seems like a bad habit I have- just a bite of this or a bite of that- especially while cooking the kids dinner. I am going to have to fight that urge... daily.

Okay, that's all for day 1. I survived. Food is packed for tomorrow. Bring it on Day 2!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

If you ask most people they would tell you that my hobbies are Facebook and my kids. And, to some degree, I think there is some truth to that (really, with the Facebook thing, more than some truth, it is my guilty pleasure!) And I do love my kids, and would often choose to spend time with them over doing most other things.

One of the things that I've realized this summer is that I do have hobbies outside of my kids and Facebook, but I just so rarely have leisure time that they often get neglected. With the move to the new house (which results in some additional time in the day), and some time off from work (that I am really taking as time off and not thinking/ planning for the upcoming year...this is a move I will likely regret in about two weeks, but for now it is awesome!) I have had some extra time in the last week. And my 'old' hobbies have resurfaced... and they are sooo much fun.

I have spent the last two weeks doing needlepoint and reading books (AND hanging with my kids and trolling around Facebook, I mean I need to stay on top of all of my favorite things!). I know, not hobbies that are overly exciting, but fun all the same and I am REALLY enjoying myself.

I picked out a needlepoint kit last year for Girly Girl's room. It is a smaller kit that is a picture of koi fish that I promised her I would make for her room. I started it last summer, but I didn't get very far. In fact, I thought that I was going to have to give up needlepoint because my eyesight keeps deteriorating and it just seemed hard last summer (in hindsight, lots of things were hard last summer in the eyesight department- should have been a predictor of the fall eye appointment that was so disappointing). This summer I realized that the key to needlepoint for me in my current eye situation is light (and when I say light, I mean like a 100 light bulb pointed directly at the canvas). So... I have been working away and I think (hope) that I will be able to finish it before school starts! What has been fun about this project is that I have gotten to teach a whole bunch of kids about needlepoint! Kids just haven't seen people doing crafts like that- and so when I needlepoint at Little Man's swim lessons or on my couch when the kids have friends over playing- everyone is super interested and checks it out. It's been fun to do a little teaching about something that seems like it is a lost art.

Books. Well, what can I say? I love to read. Always have. This summer I've found myself branching out a bit more. Reading a little more non-fiction than in the past, a little more fiction out of my normal historical stuff. And it has been fun. I checked 5 books out of the library last week. I didn't read all of them, but I skimmed them, read what I wanted, and I traded them in for seven new books today. Something about getting older, something about not having a lot of time, has driven me to only read what I REALLY want to read, and not wasting time on books that aren't that interesting to me (and before anyone asks, no I have not read Shades of Grey... not avoiding it, just hasn't been available at the library and I'm too cheap to buy it).

And although I left it off the list at the beginning of this post, I guess blogging counts as a hobby that I often don't have time for but really enjoy. I miss writing. I miss the outlet. So, this is a fun summer distraction (although this post is coming out a bit choppy and disjointed.. must be out of practice).

Anyway, I am enjoying my hobbies this summer. And I'm hoping that I can hang on to them a little bit more during the school year this year as well (hey, a girl can dream, right?!?)

Good night. I'm off to finish one of my new books. :)
C

PS This is post one for the July blogging challenge. I am going to give it a shot. I tried this in January, and although I didn't end up posting every day, I did end up posting way more often, so I figure it is a good idea. HOWEVER, the theme is kids. And today I did not (directly) blog about my kids. Tomorrow is another day. :)

Friday, June 29, 2012

As many of you know (or maybe don't know, but hey, go with it for a minute okay?) I dreamt (and fantasized) of moving closer to my work and the kids' school for a long time. The Mr. and I talked about it many many times (this was pretty much our only date night/ alone time conversation for over six months). We talked to friends, we talked to family, AND we talked to realtors (well, just one realtor, one amazing realtor, many many times). In the end we decided... despite the fact that it didn't make much financial sense, despite the fact that it was actually just a little bit nuts.... that we were going to GO FOR IT. And we did. And we waited and waited and waited and waited and changed our minds for a bit and then changed them back and then waited and waited and waited some more. And then it happened. It all happened. FAST. And then we were in the new house and it smelled (BAD) and the carpet was filthy and we couldn't unpack all of the boxes and there wasn't enough time in any day to do all the things we needed to do and it was the last few weeks of school and YEAH, did I mention that I decided to change jobs in the middle of it all??

And so, truthfully, I didn't REALLY get a chance to appreciate the change until the last few weeks. I mean, of course I appreciated the change every time I needed to drive to work, or the kids had a school event, but it was all still caught up in the chaos of life. Until, that is, this week.

This week has been amazing. I am close enough to a friend from work to have company on my walks. The kids are close to friends, which has translated to several playdates at our house, playdates at friends' houses, dinner out with friends and their parents, and this weekend, a sleepover at our house. This is what I dreamt of... that idea of being PART of a community- connecting more with the kids' friends, their families, their lives. In addition, I have had to work a few hours here and there this week and (although that was a bummer) it didn't totally disrupt our lives. I didn't have to drive all the way across town for a one hour meeting, I just bopped up the street and then came home. I love running into our kids' friends in restaurants, in movie theaters, pretty much everywhere we go.

So yeah, in the theme of this here little blog, I am EMBRACING our new life and our new home. We may have a little less expendible cash these days, but it is totally worth it. Wouldn't you agree??

Monday, April 9, 2012

Yes, it's been a couple of months since I've been here (hang head, look at the ground sheepishly, and kick the ground with one foot) but I think I have a pretty good reason.... WE MOVED!

As you may remember, the Mr. and I have been trying to sell our home for MONTHS. (if you are interested, you can go here and read the details in this post). Surprisingly, shortly after writing the aforementioned post, we received an offer on our house. Please note, the offer was not wonderful, but it was an OFFER and it allowed us to pretty much walk away from our beautiful house (seriously, our house was beautiful- especially now that I've seen what other houses look like!), so we decided that the moment had come and we took it! Then... it dawned on us that we now had to find someplace to live- and fast. We had 6 weeks to locate, inspect, purchase and move into a new home (as the Mr. was very clear that the moving thing was going to happen EXACTLY one time, no more, no less).

We lucked out (or so we thought at the time) in locating a house in EXACTLY the neighborhood that we wanted, in EXACTLY the price range that we wanted, with EXACTLY the square footage that we wanted. It EXACTLY did not have the pool that we desired, but we figured that we could put a pool in later if we so desired. We made an offer. And they accepted. On Valentine's Day. (How romantic!)

What we didn't factor in this equation was the fact that we were buying a house from.... how can I say this... folks who maybe weren't the most stable folks to walk the face of the planet. Which then resulted in me not being one of the most stable folks to walk the planet.

Anyway.... after many tears, stressed phone calls to the realtor (who was just awesome by the way), a threatened phone call to the Maricopa County sheriff's office... the house was ours! Yep. The house was ours. With it's lovely aroma (still not sure what the smell was all about, but I am making progress in eliminating it), it's broken garbage disposal, broken dishwasher, termites, disgusting carpet... and yeah, probably some more stuff that I still don't know about. It was ours.

Despite all of it's issues, the house is 3 minutes from the kids' school. 4 minutes from my work. In a lovely neighborhood, on a great street with nice neighbors. It has a beautiful backyard with grass that the Girly Girl just loves (as does her guinea pig). And the bones of the house are good. So we are taking it one day at a time, one issue at a time. Before you know it, it will be ours. It will look (and smell) as beautiful as our last house. I just need to hang on and be patient.

And as my many friends have reminded me... it isn't the walls and the carpet and the 'stuff' that makes a home, it is the family that makes the home. And we are definitely going to make a home here.
We started that this weekend by celebrating our first holiday here. Easter was amazing. Different. No photos of Girly Girl and Little Man in front of the lemon tree or by the fountain, not as many hiding spots for the Easter eggs, but still lots of love and fun and joy. And that is what it is all about.

(And, one final note... ALWAYS buy the home warranty. Ours has already paid for itself!)

I promise to be around a bit more now that we are moved in (not settled by any means, but at least we are moved in!)